# Niyi Akinmolayan

Niyi Akinmolayan (listen) is a Nigerian filmmaker and director Known for his work in both blockbuster and independent films, He directed The Wedding Party 2 (2017) Chief Daddy (2018), Prophetess (2021), My Village People (2021), The Set Up (2019), and Lisabi: The Uprising (2024). He is the founder of Anthill Studios, a media production facility. In January 2022, Anthill Studios signed an agreement with Amazon Prime Video to stream Anthill's films globally following their theatrical releases in Nigeria.

## Early life

Akinmolayan was born on 3 November 1982. He is from Ondo State, South West Nigeria and is of Yoruba descent. He began a degree in engineering at the Yaba College of Technology.

## Career

At the beginning of his career, Akinmolayan worked as a graphic designer, website designer, and apprentice to Nollywood filmmakers, where he developed skills in video editing, animation, after effects, and visual effects. His debut film, Kajola, released in 2010, was an experiment in visual effects but was met with negative reviews from filmmakers and critics.
Akinmolayan set up his production company, Anthill Productions, in 2008, which provided the visual effects for the movie Kajola.
In 2014, he directed the Nigerian dance movie Make a Move which starred Ivie Okujaye, Tina Mba, Beverly Naya, Wale Adebayo, Victor Godfrey, Helga Sosthenes and Eno Ekpenyong. The movie was nominated for the 2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for Best Movie (Drama). In 2015, Akinmolayan also directed the movies Falling featuring Adesua Etomi, Desmond Elliot and Blossom Chukwujekwu, and Out of Luck which featured Linda Ejiofor, Tope Tedela and Jide Kosoko. The film went on to earn Akinmolayan a nomination for Best Director at the 2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards, and lead actress Adesua Etomi won the award for Best Actress at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. In December 2016, Akinmolayan released a short film titled PlayThing, a 3D animated movie, which premiered at the FilmOne IMAX cinema in Lagos, to rave reviews.
In 2017, his movie The Arbitration featuring O.C Ukeje and Adesua Etomi was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival. Following the film's success, Akinmolayan began a competition on his blog for prospective writers, receiving over 300 entries, which led to the production of the short film Room 315.
In 2017, due to the successful reception of Plaything, Akinmolayan produced an animated series in collaboration with Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, titled Adventures of Lola and Chuchu. In 2019, Akinmolayan executive produced Malika: Warrior Queen, a Nigerian animated film based on the graphic novel from Roye Okupe, writer and CEO of YouNeek Studios.

## Filmography

Selected filmography
| Year | Title | Major cast | Role | Notes |
| 2010 | Kajola | Keira Hewatch, Desmond Elliot, Adonijah Owiriwa | Director | Feature film |
| 2014 | Make a Move | Ivie Okujaye, Tina Mba, Beverly Naya, Wale Adebayo, Victor Godfery, Helga Sosthenes and Eno Ekpenyong | Director | Feature film nominated for the 2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for Best Movie (Drama) |
| 2015 | Falling | Adesua Etomi, Desmond Elliot and Blossom Chukwujekwu | Director | Feature Film |
| 2016 | Plaything | | Executive producer | 3D animated short film |
| 2017 | The Arbitration | OC Ukeje, Adesua Etomi, Iretiola Doyle and Somkele Iyamah | Director | Feature film, available on Netflix |
| 2017 | The Wedding Party 2 | Banky Wellington, Adesua Etomi, Iretiola Doyle, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Patience Ozokwor, Enyinna Nwigwe | Director | Feature film |
| 2017 | Adventures of Lola and Chuchu | | Director | 3D animated series - 13 episodes |
| 2018 | Chief Daddy | Taiwo Obileye, Joke Silva, Rachel Oniga and Funke Akindele | Director | Feature film |
| 2018 | We Don't Live Here Anymore | Osas Ighodaro, Omotunde Adebowale David, Francis Sule, Temidayo Akinboro, Funlola Aofiyebi, Katherine Obiang | Editor | Feature film |
| 2019 | The Set Up | Adesua Etomi, Kehinde Bankole, Joke Silva, Jim Iyke, Dakore Egbuson, Tina Mba | Director | Feature film |
| 2019 | Elevator Baby | Toyin Abraham, Timini Egbuson, Yemi Solade, Sambasa Nzeribe, Broda Shaggi | Executive producer | Feature film |
| 2021 | Prophetess | Toyin Abraham, Kehinde Bankole, Stan Nze, Waliu Fagbemi, Deyemi Okanlawon | Director, writer | Sports comedy film |
| 2021 | Progressive Tailors Club | Beverly Osu, Uzor Arukwe, Funnybone, and Blessing Jessica Obasi | Producer | Satirical film |
| 2023 | Mikolo | Pamilerin Ayodeji, Fiyinfoluwa Asenuga, Yvonne Jegede, Ayo Mogaji, Daniel Etim Effiong, Femi Adebayo | Director and screenwriter | Family fantasy adventure film |
| 2024 | Lisabi: The Uprising | Lateef Adedimeji, Adebimpe Oyebade, Ibrahim Chatta, Jide Awobona, Eniola Ajao, and Odunlade Adekola. | Director | Historical drama film |